Town Wants To Be Closer To Salt Source

BURLINGTON — Trucks that pull out of salt sheds in Litchfield, Canton, Thomaston and Avon with mixes they deposit on winter storm- slicked roads usually run out when they reach Burlington.

For that reason, one state official worries Burlington roads are not as well-treated.

Building a salt shed in town on Route 4 to hold 1,000 tons of salt would fix that problem, said John Moore, a project engineer from the state Department of Transportation. All of the neighboring sheds are 10 miles from town.

Slated to be erected on property next to the Burlington Inn, the shed would allow trucks to stock up on salt-sand mixes before treating the roads in Burlington, Harwinton and Canton, he said. The state deposits sand and salt on state highways; towns are responsible for treating all other roads.

DOT trucks hold about five tons of the salt-sand mix and pour 1,564 pounds -- enough to salt 10 miles of state highway.

A public hearing on the subject is scheduled for Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. at town hall.

If approved, the building would be 103 feet long, 35 feet high and 40 feet wide. First Selectman Ted Scheidel said he would like to see Burlington highways salted better.

``We want to be sure there's no adverse environmental impact, but we also want to see the state take care of our roads,'' Scheidel said.

So far, the only voice of concern has come from the town's largest land owner and taxpayer. The New Britain Water Co. has property that abuts the proposed site.

``They have concerns their watershed area might become a saltwatershed area,'' Moore said.

Officials from New Britain Water Co. could not be reached for comment Thursday.

After hearing public comments, the DOT compiles the observations with their responses, into a final draft. The draft e is submitted to the state Office of Policy and Management for review.